Locking arrangement for a container closure

Abstract

A closure system for a container includes a pair of primary anchors located opposite one another on an exterior surface of the neck. Each primary anchor has vertical and horizontal portions. A cap has an upper surface and a series of walls depending downwardly therefrom and at least first and second locking tabs extending downwardly from an underside of the cap. The locking tabs are located opposite one another, and there is at least one rib between the walls of the cap and the locking tabs. Each of the locking tabs has an inwardly extending anchor tab on an inside surface thereof the locking tab. The anchor tabs are arranged to engage the primary anchors when the cap is engaged with the neck and turned relative to the container. The vertical portions of the primary anchors are arranged to positively stop further rotation of the cap relative to the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A closure system for a container having a neck, comprising:
 a pair of primary anchors located opposite one another on an exterior surface of said neck, said primary anchors each further comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portion; 
 a pair of secondary anchors located opposite one another on said exterior surface of said neck, each of said secondary anchors arranged approximately equidistant between said primary anchors, said secondary anchors comprising a horizontal portion; 
 a cap having an upper surface and a series of walls depending downwardly therefrom, said cap having first and second locking tabs extending downwardly from an underside of said upper surface of said cap, said locking tabs located opposite one another; 
 said cap having third and fourth locking tabs extending downwardly from an underside of said upper surface of said cap, said third and fourth locking tabs located opposite one another; 
 each of said locking tabs having an anchor tab on an inside surface of said locking tab, said anchor tab extending inwardly from said locking tab; 
 wherein said anchor tabs of said first and second locking tabs are arranged to engage said primary anchors upon engaging of said cap with said neck and turning said cap relative to said container and wherein said vertical portions of said primary anchors are arranged to positively stop further rotation of said cap relative to said container; and 
 wherein said anchor tabs of said third and fourth locking tabs are arranged to engage said secondary anchors upon engaging of said cap with said neck and turning said cap relative to said container. 
 
     
     
       2. The closure system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said locking tabs comprises first and second ends and wherein said first end of said locking tabs is adjacent an underside of said upper surface of said cap and wherein said anchor tabs of said first and second locking tabs are arranged at a point adjacent said second ends of said first and second locking tabs. 
     
     
       3. The closure system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said locking tabs comprises first and second ends and wherein said first end of said locking tabs is adjacent an underside of said upper surface of said cap;
 wherein said anchor tabs of said first and second locking tabs are arranged at a point adjacent said second ends of said first and second locking tabs; and 
 wherein said anchor tabs of said third and fourth locking tabs are arranged at a point approximately equidistant between said first and second ends of said third and fourth locking tabs. 
 
     
     
       4. A closure system for a container having a neck, comprising:
 a pair of primary anchors located opposite one another on an exterior surface of said neck, said primary anchors each further comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portion; 
 a cap having an upper surface and a series of walls depending downwardly therefrom, said cap having first and second locking tabs extending downwardly from an underside of said upper surface of said cap, said locking tabs located opposite one another, wherein each of said locking tabs comprises first and second ends and wherein said first end of said locking tabs is adjacent an underside of said upper surface of said cap and wherein first and second locking tabs further comprise seal retention tabs extending inwardly from said locking tabs and located adjacent said first end of said locking tabs; 
 each of said locking tabs having an anchor tab on an inside surface of said locking tab, said anchor tab extending inwardly from said locking tab; and 
 wherein said anchor tabs are arranged to engage said primary anchors upon engaging of said cap with said neck and turning said cap relative to said container and wherein said vertical portions of said primary anchors are arranged to positively stop further rotation of said cap relative to said container. 
 
     
     
       5. The closure system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one rib extending outwardly from at least one of said first and second locking tab to one of said walls adjacent to said rib. 
     
     
       6. The closure system as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one rib has a height that is less than a height of said first and second locking tab. 
     
     
       7. The closure system as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said at least one rib has a height that is no more than half of a height of said first and second locking tab. 
     
     
       8. The closure system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cap, including said upper surface and said walls, and said locking tabs and anchor tabs are integrally molded to form a unitary piece. 
     
     
       9. The closure system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said end portion of said horizontal portion of said primary anchors further comprises a tapered section.